The 28ish Podcast - Your cycle is more than your period

Host Carrie talks with fertility-awareness educator Chanana McGarry about learning to understand the menstrual cycle—not just as a period, but as a source of information about the body. They explore cycle literacy, ancestral wisdom, fertility awareness, gaps in sex education, and making informed choices about contraception. The conversation also touches on perimenopause and HRT, with an emphasis on personal experience and finding the right information and support for your own body.

Carrie talks with Dani Parks, mental health advocate, life and teen coach, and author, about supporting teens through puberty and mental health, and helping women navigate perimenopause. Drawing on her work and personal experience, Dani discusses the pressure to do it all, why asking for help matters, and how giving yourself grace can help you honor your needs through every season of life.

In this episode, Carrie McKinnon hosts Dr Sara Farwell and Dr Maciej Zatonski, co-founders of Solution Makers, a bespoke life and health coaching firm. This episode explores the fascinating connection between women’s hormonal cycles and cognitive health. They share practical insights and tools to navigate brain health throughout different phases of life, from menstruation to menopause.Sara is a cognitive neuroscientist and Maciej is a physician and former surgeon. At Solution Makers, they help people improve mental, emotional, and physical fitness. They offer specialised programmes rooted in brain health and their combined 30+ years of experience in medicine, corporate leadership, business, academia, and wellness. You can find Sara and Matt here: https://solutionsmakers.com/

Join us as Mia Dins, a soul-led entrepreneur, intuitive medium, and former elite boxer, shares her powerful journey through body, spirit, and cyclic awareness. Discover practical insights on how understanding your cycle can transform your health, athletic performance, and spiritual connection.In this episode:Mia’s diverse life journey across Germany, New Zealand, Bali, and Vietnam, and how travel amplified her spiritual awakeningThe importance of honoring your menstrual and seasonal cycles for emotional and physical well-beingHow childhood trauma and societal conditioning impact women’s womb and cycle healthThe intersection of boxing, energy, and spirituality: using martial arts for healing and connectionPractical tips for integrating cycle awareness into athletic training and daily lifeHow to navigate social media, work, and health aligned with your cycleThe role of ancestral healing and energy release in menstrual healthThe power of intuition and spirit guidance during different phases of the cycleMia's instagram: @mia_dins

Unlock the secret to understanding your body on a deeper level with Emma Goff, a fertility awareness educator and cyclical doula. In this episode, Emma reveals how mastering your menstrual cycle can empower you, help you navigate life's transitions, and decode your body's unique signals, from menarche to menopause and beyond. If you've ever wondered why you're more tired or moody at certain times, or how stress impacts your cycle, this conversation will transform your relationship with your body forever.Discover Emma’s innovative concept of a "cyclical doula," a supportive guide through every phase of your reproductive life. She shares practical insights into reading cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and hormone cues, tools that can help you pinpoint fertility windows, recognize signs of hormonal imbalance, and feel more prepared for life's surprises. Whether you're transitioning off hormonal birth control, postpartum, or simply seeking to harness the power of cycle awareness, Emma provides clear frameworks that demystify complex biological signals and reinforce that you're smarter than any app.In this episode, you'll gain actionable takeaways: Myths about cycle length and regulationHow stress and grief influence fertilityThe importance of normalizing menstrual variations. Emma delves into the societal gaps that keep us disconnected from our bodies and how body literacy can shatter those barriers especially for young people and new menstruators. Plus, she discusses the intersection of trauma, grief, and hormonal health, revealing how understanding your cycle can aid emotional healing and resilience.Emma’s work is a call to action: teach the next generation, reclaim your own body knowledge, and challenge the systems that profit from ignorance.